April 21 - Red Deer

Red Deer, Red Deer, Red, Deer... apparently the place to be if you are a touring punk band.

We played Red deer last night at an Irish pub called O'Mally's and it was super kick ass!!

First off... we arrived and shown to our hotel room! Woah!! Then they prepared our homemade pizzas that we enjoyed in our room while we waited for the promoter to show up. The first band was called Midwest Mindset and they were a full band hip-hop act and holy crap were they ever good. Personally I think hip-hop and punk mix really well at shows and I wish that more promoters would do that. The second band was called Uncultured and they were some cool punk rock. The third band was called Shotty Out! And they were awesome also. Despite the fact that it was pretty late by the time we hit the stage (and by stage I mean corner of the floor that the bands played on) the crowd was 110% pumped. They were moshing and slam dancing and crowd surfing... everything. And because we were on the floor Jan, Will and Brando got the mic in the teeth a few times... ouch! Today though, everyone has all their teeth :) It was crazy and awesome! I suggest that every touring punk band make a stop in Red Deer.

I also got the chance to see my friend Kirsten whom I haven't seen since high school. She is living in Red Deer working at a radio station there. It was awesome to catch up.

I've been really lucky on this tour to have had the chance to see old friends and meet tons of new friends. We all have been. Will was able to catch up with an old friend in Calgary that he hasn't seen in over 5 years. Despite all the bitching and whining and fighting int he band I think we're all having one hell of a good time.

I just got off the stage in Regina and thought what a great time to blog. We played at a venue called O'Hanlons (another Irish pub I think but it reminds me of The Huether in Waterloo). We played first which was a welcomed change to the headlining slot we have had most of the tour. The bar was full of regulars but we had our own crowd that were digging our sound. It was a little awkward at first but we rocked the hell out of the bar.

The second band is just about done so we are gonna load out and head to Dillan's place to sleep. Another long day of driving tomorrow so we've gotta get some serious sleep tonight... for real.